Austin Aztex News Release - www.austinaztex.com

Thursday, February 21, 2008

AUSTIN, TX -- Austin Aztex Soccer Club announced the appointment of Adrian Heath as Head Coach. Heath has an outstanding track record in the game both as a player and as a Coach. He played professionally in Europe for over eighteen years with such clubs as Everton, Espanyol, Aston Villa & Manchester City. At Everton Heath won two League Championships, the F.A. Cup and European Cup Winners Cup in a six year span, his performances for the club earned him a place in the Everton Hall of Fame.

Heath played for two seasons in Spain with Espanyol before returning to English soccer with Aston Villa and then Manchester City. He finished his playing career with Burnley.

After an illustrious playing career Heath turned his skills and attention to Coaching. He has Coached and been an Assistant Coach for more than twelve years, working at the likes of Sunderland AFC, Leeds United, Everton & Coventry City. He currently holds the highest available Coaching qualification, the UEFA Pro License.

Phil Rawlins, President of the Austin Aztex expressed his excitement about the appointment saying. ”I am absolutely delighted that Adrian has agreed to join the Aztex, he is an outstanding Coach and human being with an infectious enthusiasm for the game. Once he declared his interest, he was the only candidate we wanted. I have known Adrian for many years and followed his career closely; he has an eye for a good player which will be critical for us as we build our professional roster for the April 2009 kick-off. First and foremost he is a players Coach, with a great record of developing young players and producing winning teams”

Heath said “I am overjoyed at the opportunity to Coach the Austin Aztex. I have had several offers recently to Coach in the English League but the chance to build something from scratch with Phil was just too tempting to turndown. I have followed US Soccer closely over the past few years and believe the game here is about to take-off and I want to be a part of that.”

Adrian Heath Q & A [+]

The highlights of Heath’s playing and coaching career are detailed below. He will be taking up his new Head Coach position with the Austin Aztex on April 7th subject to him receiving work visa approval.

Playing Career
• England U21 - won 8 caps and scored 3 goals between 1981 & 1983
• European Cup Winners Cup 1985
• 3 F.A. Cup Finals, Winners 1984
• 2 League Championships with Everton 1984-85 and 1986-87
• League Cup Finalist 1983
• 4 Charity Shield Winners
Coaching Career
• Head Coach – Sheffield United, Burnley & Coventry City
• Asst. Coach - Sheffield United, Sunderland, Everton, Leeds United & Coventry City